Computational approaches to decipher miRNA-target association in Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Abstract microRNAs (miRNAs) are tiny non-coding evolutionary conserved RNAs that play a regulatory role in various cellular and physiological processes of plants. The regulation of miRNA target genes plays a crucial role in plant growth and environmental stress response. Identification of miRNAs in mango (Mangifera indica) is still unexplored, which is one of the most important commercial crop plants of the Anacardiaceae family. In the present study, computational approaches were used to identify miRNAs and their target genes using expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in mango. Functional annotations for the identified targets and assignment of gene ontology (GO) terms were performed. A total of 18 putative miRNAs were identified that belong to 12 diverse miRNA families. 44 potential target genes were predicted for 11 miRNAs. Functional annotation of targets suggested their key involvement in ripening, hormone, and transcription regulation. Overall, findings from this study will provide a broader insight into understanding the functions of miRNAs in M. indica.